Purpose or Case Report: This educational exhibit will demonstrate the strengths and weakness of Fetal MRI at 3 Tesla in the evaluation of multiple gestations.
Methods & Materials: Employing a case series of multiple gestation pregnancies evaluated via 3 Tesla MRI, this educational exhibit will highlight the strengths and weaknesses of imaging obtained at a higher magnetic field strength when compared the more routinely available 1.5 Tesla field strength. Findings and pathology will be correlated with prenatal ultrasounds as well as post-natal imaging as applicable.
Results: Although the superior resolution obtained at higher field strengths can be advantageous in identifying and further characterizing fetal pathology, the sequences are more susceptible to artifact accentuation, particularly dielectric effect and motion.
Conclusions: The continued advancement of MR imaging technology has made higher field strength imaging available at a growing number of medical centers. Although imaging at 3 Tesla affords improved spatial resolution to visualize and define pathologic entities, the increased prevalence of artifacts at these higher field strengths, particularly in the setting of multiple gestations, requires familiarization on the part of both the technologist and radiologist to ensure diagnostic images are successfully obtained.